It has been an action-packed, highly productive week for our College & Career team!
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending the IACRAO (Idaho Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) Counselor Days held at the lovely College of Idaho campus. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with higher education representatives, gather key updates on admissions and financial aid, and bring back valuable resources to support our students as they plan their post-secondary pathways.
Back on campus, counselors and the College & Career team spent time visiting senior Government classes to help our 12th graders get set up for graduation and beyond. During these visits, seniors were guided through creating and setting up essential online accounts:
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Next Steps Idaho: For planning, tracking, and completing grade-level career portfolio activities.
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Apply Idaho: To streamline and simplify applying to Idaho colleges and universities.
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Scholarship Idaho: To access state-specific financial aid and grant opportunities.
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Parchment: To easily request and send official high school transcripts to prospective colleges.
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FSA ID: To establish their official log-in for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Our seniors were absolutely fantastic—engaged, responsible, and proactive about taking ownership of their futures!
A Message for Parents & Guardians:
We strongly encourage you to sit down with your student this week to go over these new accounts and materials together. Ask them to walk you through their profile logins, check in on their upcoming application deadlines, and discuss their plans for life after high school. Having these conversations early ensures everyone is aligned and ready to navigate senior year with confidence!
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Monday, September 21st | Army Recruiter Lunch Table: Head over to the commons during lunch to chat with an Army recruiter! Stop by the table to explore career opportunities, enlistment options, and military benefits.
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Tuesday, September 22nd | College of Southern Idaho Lunch & Learn: Join us for a Lunch & Learn with the College of Southern Idaho! Bring your lunch to learn all about academic programs, campus life, admissions requirements, and scholarship opportunities. Stop by the College & Career Center to join!
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Thursday, September 24th | University of Idaho Lunch & Learn: Join us in the College & Career Center during lunch to meet with Mikayla from the University of Idaho! Bring your lunch and learn about academic programs, admissions, campus life, and scholarship opportunities.
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🚨 Action Needed: FSA ID Creation
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Action Needed for Parents & Students — FSA ID Creation: Please ensure your student creates their official FSA ID at StudentAid.gov before completing the FAFSA. Both the student and at least one parent/guardian will need their own unique FSA ID to digitally sign and submit financial aid applications.
🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates
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Tuesday, September 29th-Attend the NACAC Boise National College Fair: Stop by Expo Idaho to connect with representatives from dozens of local, regional, and nationwide colleges and universities. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions directly about academic majors, campus life, admissions requirements, and financial aid options!
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Thursday, October 8th & Monday, October 12th | Senior Application Work Days: Seniors will be visiting the KHS Commons during their ELA classes to complete their applications using the accounts created last week (Next Steps Idaho, Apply Idaho, Scholarship Idaho, and Parchment).
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Monday, October 12th | Parent University: Senior Edition: Join us in the KHS Commons from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM! This event will provide parents with valuable information regarding future post-secondary options for their students, as well as details on the senior timeline and expectations for senior year. More details to come.
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If you were absent or missed the College Application Day preview presentation during your Government class last week, don't worry! Please take a few minutes to review the information in the presentation slide deck or schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with Mrs. Turner in the College & Career Center to get caught up and set up your accounts. |
Are you a motivated high school junior eager to make an impact, grow your leadership skills, and connect with regional leaders? Applications are now open for the Boise Metro Chamber's Leadership Boise Academy (LBA)!
LBA is a fully funded, semester-long leadership program running from January to May. Selected 11th graders participate in monthly, full-day sessions focused on key community topics—like media, business, technology, and infrastructure—alongside top local professionals.
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Who: High School Juniors in the Treasure Valley
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Cost: 100% Free (Includes meals, program materials, and bus transportation to/from designated locations)
- Key Benefits:
- Excused absences for program days
- Direct mentorship from regional business & civic leaders
- Eligibility for exclusive $2,000 college/trade school scholarships during senior year
- Opportunity to return as an LBA Student Ambassador
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Application Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026
Please note: This is not a high school-sponsored event. Students must complete their own online application and commit to the attendance requirements.
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Interested in a rewarding career in healthcare? The Boise State University School of Respiratory Care Sciences is offering two upcoming events for prospective students to explore their programs and get hands-on insight into the field!
BSU Respiratory Care Open House:
- Tour the labs and facilities, meet BSU faculty and current students, and learn about degree pathways in respiratory care.
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When: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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Where: BSU Health Sciences Riverside Building (950 S. Lusk Street, Boise, ID 83706)
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RSVP: Reserve your spot at bit.ly/3Wek4lk
Saint Alphonsus Clinical Exploration Day:
- Get an inside look at a real hospital clinical setting! See what a respiratory therapist does firsthand and connect directly with BSU faculty to get your questions answered.
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RSVP: Space is limited—reserve your spot at bit.ly/4wULKuZ
Please note: These are not Kuna High School sponsored events. Participants will need to complete their own registration and arrange their own transportation.
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Connect with representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities across the nation at the 2026 Boise National College Fair!
Whether you are beginning your college search or finalizing your application list, this free event gives students and families a chance to explore academic majors, campus life, financial aid options, and admission requirements all in one place.
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Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
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Sessions: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Location: Expo Idaho (5610 Glenwood St, Boise)
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Cost: Free & open to the public
Pro Tip: Save time at college tables by registering for a free barcode at nacacattend.org before you go so representatives can easily scan and send you personalized admissions info!
Please note: This is not a Kuna High School sponsored event. Participants will need to complete their own registration and arrange their own transportation.
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The U.S. Department of Education is inviting students and parents to participate in beta testing for the 2027–28 FAFSA® form.
Selected students can complete their official FAFSA early, get a head start on the financial aid process, and help improve the overall experience before the public launch on October 1st.
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Why Join? Get financial aid paperwork done early and help test the system. (Note: Completing the FAFSA early does not increase aid amounts, but it gives you a valuable head start!)
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How to Sign Up: Request access through September at StudentAid.gov/joinBeta.
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Do you know a motivated high school junior eager to grow as a leader? Encourage them to apply for the Boise Metro Chamber’s Leadership Boise Academy (LBA)!
LBA is a fully funded leadership and civic engagement program running from January to April 2027. Selected 11th graders will participate in monthly, full-day sessions focused on local business, government, tech, and community issues, connecting directly with regional leaders.
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Who: High School Juniors (No formal leadership title required—just curiosity and drive!)
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Cost: 100% Free (Transportation provided to and from sessions)
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Application Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026
Please note: This is not a Kuna High School sponsored event. Students will need to complete their own registration online and arrange their own transportation.
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Interested in seeing what life is like as a BYU-Idaho student? Join us for BYU-I Campus Day! This is a fantastic opportunity to tour the campus, explore academic programs, check out student housing, and get a real feel for campus culture and student life. Check out the flyer in the College & Career Center for event dates, schedule details, and registration info!
Please note: This is not a Kuna High School sponsored event. Students will need to complete their own registration and arrange their own transportation.
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Launch Your Fire Career: Frenchtown Fire District Resident Program 🚒
Looking for a fast track into emergency services? The Frenchtown Rural Fire District (FRFD) in Frenchtown, Montana, offers a three-year Resident Firefighter Program designed to train, educate, and prepare candidates for a full-time career in fire and EMS.
Key Highlights:
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Free Station Housing: Live directly in the station at zero cost while serving on active shift rotations alongside veteran firefighters.
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Earn Professional Certifications: Get hands-on training for Structure Firefighting, Wildland Firefighting, technical rescue, and EMT certifications.
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100% College Tuition Reimbursement: Earn an Associate of Science in Fire & Emergency Services (or pursue paramedicine pathways) through Helena College—with 100% of your tuition and materials reimbursed upon graduation.
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Real-World Experience: Respond to actual emergency calls, participate in wildland fire deployments, and access paid off-duty transport opportunities
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Interested in a future in healthcare or becoming a physician? The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) is holding an On-Campus Open House! This event gives prospective students an inside look at life in medical school. You'll get the chance to meet current medical students and faculty, tour state-of-the-art facility space, explore hands-on simulation labs, and learn about academic pathways toward a career in medicine.
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When: Thursday, September 24th from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Where: ICOM Campus (1401 E. Central Drive, Meridian, ID)
Please note: This is not a Kuna High School sponsored event. Students will need to complete their own registration online and arrange their own transportation.
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Did you know you can complete your entire freshman year of college general education courses while still in high school? Through Idaho’s GEM (General Education Matriculation) framework, students can take 36 credits of core dual-enrollment classes that are guaranteed to transfer seamlessly to any Idaho public college or university! Earning your GEM Certificate allows you to knock out essential general education requirements early, saving you significant time and college tuition.
Interested in building a GEM pathway for your schedule? Stop by the College & Career Center or schedule a meeting with Ms. Turner to map out your courses and discuss using Advanced Opportunities funding to cover tuition costs!
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The TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) program is a free college and career readiness program designed to help Kuna High School students succeed in their education and plan for life after graduation. Participants receive free academic advising, career exploration, college campus visits, SAT/ACT prep, and step-by-step assistance with college applications and financial aid.
Services Offered:
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Academic Advising & Tutoring Referrals: Stay on track for graduation and college readiness.
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College & Career Exploration: Experience guided college campus tours and learn about high-demand career paths.
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Financial Aid & Scholarship Guidance: Get hands-on help filing FAFSA forms and applying for scholarships.
How to Apply:
Kuna High School students can apply online using the TRIO ETS Student Application. Prefer a paper copy? Stop by the College & Career Center to pick up a physical application!
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For students interested in an accelerated academic path, the CWI OtterBound program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree concurrently with a high school diploma. This is a rigorous option designed for highly motivated students with clear academic goals.
Key Program Information:
Because this is an official College of Western Idaho degree, CWI manages the program guidelines and tracks all academic progress. Your first step is to meet with a CWI Advisor to build your college plan. They will then coordinate with your high school counselor to ensure your college courses align with your high school graduation requirements, pathways, and electives.
Is OtterBound Right for You?
To be eligible, students must have:
- A cumulative high school GPA of 2.5+.
- A chosen CWI major/degree program.
- Completed (or in progress) at least one CWI course.
How to Get Started:
If you meet these requirements, your first step is to reach out to CWI to begin the planning process:
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Did you know that local coffee breaks come with a student perk? Show your student ID at Latte' Da and score 10% off your favorite drink or treat! Whether you need a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon study boost, don't forget to flash that ID card at checkout to save a little green while you caffeine. |
Financial Aid & Scholarships |
Looking for ways to fund your post-secondary education or earn recognition for your leadership and patriotism? The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers several annual scholarship programs and contests for middle and high school students!
Featured Scholarship Programs
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Voice of Democracy: An audio-essay program open to high school students (grades 9–12). Express your views on a democratic and patriotic theme for a chance to win up to $35,000 in national scholarships.
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Patriot's Pen: An essay contest open to middle school students (grades 6–8) that encourages young minds to examine America’s history and modern society. State and national winners earn cash prizes, including a top prize of $5,000.
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Scout of the Year: Provides scholarships to registered, active members of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts who have demonstrated exceptional citizenship and leadership skills.
How to Apply
Check eligibility requirements, essay prompts, and submission deadlines directly on the VFW Youth Scholarships page. Be sure to submit your entry through your local VFW Post before the fall deadlines!
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Scholarships will open in February and are due by March 1.
These scholarships are exclusively for Kuna High School students and will be awarded in May during Senior Awards Night.
- Matthew Scanlon Memorial Scholarship
- Tracy Edwards Memorial Scholarship
- Dual Language Scholarship
- E.P.I.C Scholarship
- Financial Responsibility Scholarship
- Stephen Newton Memorial Scholarship
- Zane Newman Special Education Memorial Scholarship
- Wellness and Resiliency Scholarship
Applications can be dropped off in the Career Center with Ms. Turner.
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- Closing Soon
- Idaho Scholarships
- Scholarship Idaho
- 2-Year College Scholarships
- 4-Year College Scholarships
- Career Technical Scholarships
- And more!
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Rising juniors and seniors: the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) lets eligible students from participating Western states pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at 170 public colleges—opening more out-of-state options at lower costs!
Check out these free tools:
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Looking for ways to pay for college and gain valuable experience? The Idaho Army National Guard can help you do both!
✅ Tuition Assistance & Scholarships — Up to $20,000 toward your education
✅ Monthly Pay — Earn $350+ while serving
✅ Commitment — Only 2 days a month and 2 weeks in the summer
✅ Full-Time Student — The rest of the time, focus on your studies—without student debt!
Interested?
📞 Contact SSG Michael Torres at 208-576-0535 (text or call)
It’s a smart way to build your future, gain experience, and graduate debt-free!
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Many companies offer tuition reimbursement, scholarships, or free college programs—a great way for high school seniors to earn income and support their education.
National Options: Starbucks, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Bank of America, FedEx, Comcast (tuition coverage up to 100% or $5,250+ per year).
Boise-Area Opportunities: Starbucks, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Target, Albertsons/Safeway, WinCo, Fred Meyer, Saint Alphonsus, Saint Luke’s Health System, and some local gyms/spas/salons.
💡 Tip: Ask about tuition assistance or scholarships when applying—some start on your first day! Check company websites for eligibility and application details.
🔍 Want to find more companies that pay for school?
Students can research online by searching for “tuition reimbursement programs”, “employee scholarships”, or “employer education benefits”. Check company websites or career pages for eligibility and application details.
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Next Step Idaho is a one-stop resource for students and families exploring life after high school. From career exploration and college planning to financial aid and scholarships, the site offers tools, guides, and information to help students make informed decisions and take actionable steps toward their future. Regularly visiting Next Step Idaho ensures families stay up-to-date on opportunities, deadlines, and resources to support postsecondary success. |
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When creating your account, do NOT use the single sign-on option.
- Use a personal email to create your account.
- Use your school email only as the backup email.
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NSI Navigation – Idaho LAUNCH Career Pathway Plan
- Log in to NSI
- Click the green person icon at the top
- Select My Dashboard
- Click My Pathway Bundles
- Choose 12th Grade
- Open Idaho LAUNCH Career Pathway Plan Bundle
- Complete the Work Values Assessment & Reflection
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Save your work to the Pathway Plan Portfolio in NSI
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NSI Navigation
- Log in to NSI
- Click the green person icon at the top
- Select My Dashboard
- Click My Pathway Bundles
- Choose 11th Grade
- Open 11th Grade Pathway Plan Activities
- Complete the Interests and Career Development Pre-Reflection
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Save your work to the Pathway Plan Portfolio in NSI
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NSI Navigation – Idaho LAUNCH Career Pathway Plan
- Log in to NSI
- Click the green person icon at the top
- Select My Dashboard
- Click My Pathway Bundles
- Choose 10th Grade
- Open 10th Grade Pathway Plan Activities
- Complete the Khan Academy actvity
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Save your work to the Pathway Plan Portfolio in NSI
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NSI Navigation – Idaho LAUNCH Career Pathway Plan
- Log in to NSI
- Click the green person icon at the top
- Select My Dashboard
- Click My Pathway Bundles
- Choose 9th Grade
- Open 9th Grade Pathway Plan Activities
- Complete the Interests Profiler Assessment & Reflection
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Save your work to the Pathway Plan Portfolio in NSI
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College, Military & Career Contacts |
Set up a meeting with the College & Career team to discuss you or your student's specific goals.
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